COCONUT PALMS RESTAURANT AND WILD PIG BAR

          In what year was the War of 1812 started??  If only the questions posed on Trivia Tuesdays at the Wild Pig Bar were that easy!  Quiz Master, John (for what local newspaper does he work?), will have you wracking your terribly disused (or is it abused?) brain cells on alternate Tuesdays beginning at 7:30PM.  This is serious fun, with qualifying rounds, a Final in December, and great prizes, from beer chits to actual cash!

          This is only one of the new ideas springing forth from Helle and Brian Hult, new proprietors since October 2005, who have renamed the hotel and restaurant, “The Coconut Palms” (sounds more inviting on the internet), but kept the well-known “Wild Pig” for the bar.  They have revamped the menu, and are glowing with pride that their ni-Vanuatu Chef, Amos Ronnie, was recently awarded “Chef of the Year” over big-name competition at this year’s Salon Culinaire.  In the midst of their Celebration Free Entrée/Dessert offer, Trivia Night, and Chef’s notoriety, the 2 restaurant areas and bar were well taxed the night we visited.  Service ran slow, as could be expected, but our very gracious server, Flora, contentiously apologized for inconveniences, corrected small errors, and assisted her fellows.

          The Menu is too full of tempting fare to make a decision!  Brian suggested the Wild Pig Special Pork Chops: tenderly moist from beer marinating, amply portioned, and savorously covered with the Chef’s Whiskey Sauce, or the Seafood Platter for 2, which he boasts is the “Best Deal on the Island”.  The availability of fresh lobster made our decision.  It is undeniably a “steal deal” at less than 4000vt, a full meal with salad, rice and chips, fresh fruit, and portioned more like for 3 not 2; no bivalves, but 2 lobster halves, large dish of creamy garlic prawns, full-sized portions of blackened fish steaks, batter-fried fish, seafood brochettes – nicely just cooked.  Other tempting dishes: Garlic Stuffed Sirloin, Steak w/ Watermelon Salsa, or w/ Hot Sweet Onions, BBQ Veal Ribs (1750-2100vt).  When available: Lobster, au natural, mornay, or other thermidor. (2650-2850vt).  The restaurant also serves Breakfast and Lunch: omelettes, pizza, pasta, etc. (700-1350vt).  For the moment, food is served in the Front Dining Room, Lounge/Poolside, or in the Bar.  Plans to relocate and expand the bar and dining room are in the works.

          This young Danish couple who sold it all to move themselves and their young children half a world and another hemisphere away to a place called Wild Pig have to be original people!  Other fun ideas and events from them have been a Beer Fest with a NZ Bavarian Band, Weekend Patio BBQ, and showcasing bands, like Kulture Band from Fiji, one of the bands playing in the Fest’ Napuan in October. Trivia Tuesday is starting to outgrow the bar area.  Don’t miss out on the next event.  Blast yourself out of the house, and maybe even a rut!

          What is the name of the hotel formerly called the Wild Pig?  Come to Coconut Palms and find out!  Open 7 days. Phone: 23696.

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